Toy vehicle



Nov. 15, 1938. D. M. NEILSON 2,135,752

` TOY VEHICLE Filed June 28, 1.957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmc/whom 9072 M. Ne 1115072/ Nov. 15, i938.VA Dl M. NELSON 2,136,752

TOY VEHICLE Filed June 28, 1937 y2 sheets-sheet 2 SWW/Wto@ on M jl/elson Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY VEHICLE Don M. Neilson, Beaver, Utah, assigner lof onethird to Abe Murdock and one-third to E. A.

Griffiths, both of Beaver, Utah Application June 28, 1937, Serial No. 150,816

Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved vWheeled vehicle and has as one of its important objects to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive toy vehicle in which the driving mech- 5 anism is operated by the weight of the rider.

A further object consists in associating with the vehicle an oscillating seat lever and an actuating member, which are fulcrumed to the body of the vehicle and are connected at one end to each other. The actuating member is also connected to a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the driving axle to propel the vehicle. Additionally, yieldable means are provided for elevating the inner end of the lever and the seat `l5 upon the release of pressure therefrom in order to return the seat to its normal position.

Another object consists in associating with the driving mechanism, means to render the `same inoperative so as to permit the vehicle being moved without the necessity of effecting an operative connection between the driving mechanism and the wheels of the vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the Vfollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings. Referring `to the drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle toy constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Figure 1. l

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 3 3 olf Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially alongthe line.4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substan tially along the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

`Figure '7 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 'I I of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, I0 designates the body of the vehicle which may be of any suitable coniiguration', and which for the purpose of illustration, has been shown to simulate the neck andhead of a horse. The body I0 may comprise a pair oi spaced wooden supporting members II and I2 (Fig. 3) to the sides of which are secured the metallic plates I3 thatmay bend inwardly at their front ends to abut each other. Extending through aligned openings in the members II and I2 is a steering bolt or king Vpin I4 which has its lower end bifurcated as at I5 to receive the axle I6 of the front wheel I'I. The opposite or upper end of the bolt I4 hasits head I8 extending above a wear plate I9, attached to the underside of the steering head by the screws 2|. The top of the body is provided with an opposed wear plate 22 secured thereto by the screws 23. The plates I9 and 22 may be slightly spaced from veach other to facilitate the easy turning of the head 20 relative to the lbody I0. erably provided with an enlarged polygonally shaped portion 24 which ts into a complementary formed opening in the plate I9 to secure or lock the head 29 to the bolt. Reins or flexible members 25 are shown connected to the head 29 for steering the vehicle. It will be seen that upon the rider moving the head2!) by the proper manipulation of the reins, the vehicle will turn to travel in the direction desired. Any other suitable means, such as outwardly extending handles, may be provided for actuating the head 28 to steer the vehicle.

An oscillating lever 26 is fulcrumed to the body Ill intermediate its ends as at 2'I, and has secured at one end thereof, a seat or saddle 28 for receiving a child or rider. The opposite end of the lever `26 is connected to a link 29 as at 39 and this link in turn is connected to a bolt 3| as at 32, which bolt is fastenedlto an actuating member or rod 33 by the threaded nut 34. As shown, the rod or bar 33 is pivotally connected to a bracket 35, as at 36, and this bracket may `be clamped or otherwise secured to the body I0 by the retaining bolt 3l and the nut 38.

The forward end of the rod 33 may be provided with an elongated opening 39 (Fig. 2) through which the bolt I4' extends, or this end may be b-ifurcated to straddle the bolt in order to permit Arelative movement between these parts. The bolt I4 may carry the spaced washers 40 'between which is confined a coiled spring 42 (Fig. 3), which normally exerts a downward pressure on the adjacent end of the rod 33 so as to raise its opposite end and at the same time elevate the seat or saddle 28 to the position shown in Fig. 1. Conversely, when the seat 28 is depressed 4by the weight of the rider, the spring 42 will be contracted, and when the pressure is relieved from the seat, the. expansion of the spring 42 will return the parts to their normal position.

The rear end of the bar 33 is preferably provided with a series of openings 43 for receiving a bolt or pin 44 that secures a depending link 45 thereto. An arm or link 46 is arranged to be ad- The bolt I4 is prefvlcn justably connected through the openings 41 and pin 48 with the link 45 and has its opposite or lower end journaled on the axle 49. Supporting bars or reach members 56 extend from opposite sides of the body I0 and are secured thereto by the threaded bolts 5I and nuts 52 (Fig 2) The opposite ends of the bars 59 are preferably provided with openings through which extend the spaced sleeves which surround the axle 49. The rear wheels 53 are keyed or otherwise fastened to the axle 49 so as to rotate therewith. A ratchet wheel 54 is secured to the axle 49 by the pins 54' (Fig. 4), or in any other suitable manner, and may loosely engage the bifurcated sides 56 of the arm 46. A bolt 51 extends transversely through the sides 56 and carries a pawl or dog 58 which is yieldably urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet Wheel by a spring 59. It will be seen that when the arm 46 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction, the pawl 58 will engage the ratchet wheel to impart a rotative movement to the axle which, in turn, propels the vehicle, and that the pawl 58 is allowed to move freely over the teeth of the ratchet Wheel when the arm 46 is moved in a clockwise direction.

Preferably, the ratchet wheel 54 is enclosed in a curved or oval shaped housing 60 (Fig. 5), provided With an opening 6I through which the pawl 58 extends. Slidably mounted Within the housing 60, is a releasing member 62, which is movably retained in the housing by a stud 63 slidable in an opening 64. A manually actuated operating handle 65 securedV to the member 62 extends through an elongated opening 66 to move the slide relative to the housing. It will be seen that upon movement of the slide 62 by the actuation of the handle 65 in a counter-clockwise direction, that the slide is brought into engagement with the pawl 58 so as to move the latter away from the teeth of the ratchet wheel and thus render the driving mechanism inoperative to permit the use,

of the vehicle as a coaster.

Foot rests or pieces 61 extend outwardly from the sides I3 and are secured thereto by the spaced bolts or pins 68 and 69. Preferably, the bolt 69 is arranged selectively to t into any one of a series of segmentally disposed openings 'I0 in the sides I3 of the body, so that the pieces 61 may be secured in any desired adjusted position relative to the seat 28. The space between the bars 50 and the rear axle 49 may be closed by the'guard plates 1I which rest on the top of the sleeves 55, and are located on opposite sides of the housing 60. The sleeves 55 may be fastened at their inner ends to the concentrically disposed bosses 12 on the casing 66, by the pin 13 (Fig. 4).

The lever 26 constitutes a seat support which, upon being actuated by the up and down movement of the rider thereon, imparts a smooth mechanical driving actionrto the vehicle through the instrumentality of the member 33 and the pawl and ratchet mechanism. Additionally, the bolt I4 and its connection with the front wheel I1 and the head 20 constitute a steering column which may be readily actuated by the rider to control the direction of movement of the vehicle. In using the toy vehicle, the child or rider first straddles the lever 26 so as to stand on the foot rests 61, which have been previously adjusted to permit the child to comfortably sit in the sadvdle 28 without his feet leaving the foot rests 61 when the child moves up and down to simulate the motion` of one riding a horse so as to propel the vehicle.

It will be seen that as the weight of the rider displaces the seat 28 from its position shown in Fig. 1, that the forward ends of the lever 26 and rod 33 are simultaneously raised and the spring 42 contracted. At the same time, the link connections 45 and 45 are lowered, and the pawl 58, by reason of its engagement with the ratchet wheel 54, causes the rotation of the rear axle 49 which imparts a forward movement to the vehicle. When the rider reaches the lowerrnost position, his weight will be relieved from the seat 28 and upon the removal of 'the downward pressure, the spring 42 will operate to return the seat 2B and its associated parts to their elevated positions.

By reason of the adjustable connection of the link 45 with both the rod 33 and the arm 46, means are provided for controlling the leverage force exerted upon the ratchet wheel 54, which may be varied depending upon the weight of the child using the vehicle. In other words, when a light weight child is operating the vehicle, the lever 45 may be connected to the arm 46 at a point near to the axle 4'9 so as not to require as much weight or pressure to be applied to the lever 33 to actuate the driving mechanism.

In the event that the child prefers to pull the vehicle or convert it into a coaster, it is merely necessary to move the pawl 58 out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel which is effected by actuating the handle 65 in a counterclockwise direction. The frictional engagement of the slide 62 with the inner wall of the casing 6l!! tends to maintain the pawl in its disengaged position until the handle 65 is again returned to its released position.

It will be understood that the form of the invention shown and described is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment, and that such changes may be made as fall withinthe purview of one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle of the class described including a body, a lever fulcrumed to the body and having a seat at one end, an actuating member fulcrumed to the body, means connecting the other end of. the lever to said member, a bolt extending vertically through the body, a wheel connected to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of said member to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the adjacent end of the member downwardly to elevate the seat, an axle connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, and means operatively connecting said member to the axle to rotate the latter upon the actuation of said seat.

2. A vehicle of the class described including a body, an oscillating lever fulcrumed to the body and having a seat at one end, an actuating member fulcrumed to the body below said lever, means connecting the other end of the lever to saidy member, a bolt extending vertically through the body, a wheel connected to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of said member to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the adjacent end of the member downwardly to elevate the seat, an axle connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends,

thereof, and adjustable means operatively connecting said member to theaxle torotate Athe latter upon the actuation of Said seat. l

3. A vehicle of. the class described including a body, an oscillating lever fulcrumed to vitl-1e body and having a seat at one end,a member' fulcrumed to the body below saidlever, means connecting the other end of the lever to the inember, a revoluble bolt extending vertically through the body, a front wheel connected tothe lower end of the bolt,a steering member connectedto the opposite end of the bolt for guiding -the vehicle, means connecting theforward-end of said member to the bolt, yieldable means normally urging the adjacent end ofthe member downwardly so as to elevate the seat, a rear axle connected to the body and'having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, means operatively connecting the member to the axle to rotate the latter, and foot rests connected to the sides of the body whereby upon the seat being depressed by the weight of therider, the opposite end of the lever and the member are raised about their fulcrums to effect the rotation of. the axle through the operating means to impart a forward mot1on to the vehicle, said yieldable means being contracted during this movement and being expanded when the pressure is released to return the seat to its elevated position- 4. A vehicle of class described including a body, an oscillating lever fulcrumed to the body and having a seat at one end, a rod fulcrumed to the body below said lever, means connecting the other end of the lever to the rod, a revoluble bolt extending vertically through the body, a wheelV connected to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of said rod to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the adjacent end of the rod downwardly to elevate the seat, an axle connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, means operatively connecting the rod to the axle to rotate the latter upon the actuation of said seat, and means to render the operating means inoperative.

5. A vehicle of the class described including a body, a lever fulcrumed to the body and having a seat at one end, a rod fulcrumed to the body below said lever, means connecting the other end of the lever to the rod, a revoluble bolt extending vertically through the body, a wheel connected to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of Said rod to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the adjacent end of the rod downwardly to elevate the seat, an axle connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, a ratchet wheel fastened to the axle, said rod having a depending link connected to the rear end thereof, an arm journaled on the axle and connected to said link, a pawl carried by said arm and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, and foot rests connected to the sides of the body whereby uponthe seat being depressed by the weight of the rider the opposite end of the lever and the rod are raised and the arm carrying the pawl is forced downwardly to rotate the axle and impart a forward motion to the vehicle, said yieldable means being contracted during this movement and operable when the pressure is released to expand and return the seat to its elevated position.

6. A vehicle of the class described including a body, an oscillating lever fulcrumed to the body Aand having a seat at one end, a rod ful'crumed to the body below said lever, means connecting the other end of the lever to the rod, a revoluble bolt 'extending `vertically through the body, a wheel connected `to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of said rod to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the `adjacent end of the rod downwardly to `elevate the seat, an axle connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, a ratchet wheel fastened to the axle, said rod having a depending link adjustably connected to the rear end thereof, an arm journaled on the axle and adjustably connectedito said link, a pawl carried by said arm and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, and foot rests connected to'the sides o f the body whereby upon the seat being depressed by the weight of the rider the opposite end of the lever and the rod are raised and the arm carrying the pawlis forced downwardly to rotate .the axle and impart a forward motion-to the vehicle, said yieldable means being contracted during this movement and operable when the pressure is released to expand and return the seat to its elevated position.

7. A vehicle of the class described including a body, an oscillating lever fulcrumed to the body and having a seat at one end, a rod fulcrumed to the body below said lever, means connecting the other end of the lever to the rod, a revoluble bolt extending vertically through the body, a front wheel connected to the lower end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt, a steering member connected to the opposite end of the bolt for guiding the vehicle, means connecting the forward end of said bar to the bolt, yieldable means for normally urging the adjacent end of the rod downwardly to elevate the seat, a rear axle. connected to the body and having wheels keyed to the ends thereof, a ratchet wheel fastened to the axle, said rod having a depending link connected to the rear end thereof, an arm journaled on the axle and connected to said link, a pawl carried by said arm and arranged toengage said ratchet wheel, foot rests connected to the sides of the body whereby upon the-seat being depressed by the weight of the rider the opposite end of the lever and the rod are raised and the arm carrying the pawl is forced downwardly to rotate the axle and impart a forward motion to the vehicle, said yieldable means being contracted during this movement and operable when the downward pressure isreleased to expand and return the seat to its elevated position, and a releaser associated with the pawl for maintaining the same out of engagement with the ratchet wheel.

8. A vehicle of the class described including a body, a steering wheel connected to the body, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body and having a seat mounted thereon, an actuating member fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body, said lever and actuating member extending lengthwise of the body, means interconnecting the forward end portions of the actuating member and said lever, yieldable means between the body and the forward end of the actuating member for normally maintaining the seat in its raised position, an axle connected to the body and having wheels fastened thereto, and driving means operatively connecting the actuatlng member to the axle so as to rotate the latter upon the depression of the seat, said yieldable vmeans actingto return the seat to its raised position upon the downward pressure being released from said seat.

9- A vehicle oi the class described including a. body, a steering wheel connected to the body, a lever. fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body and having a seat mounted thereon, an actuating member fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body, said lever and actuating member extending lengthwise of the body, means interconnecting the forward end portions of the actuating member and said lever, yieldable means 'oetween the body and the forward end of the actuating member for normally maintaining the seat in its raised position, an axle connected to the body and having wheels fastened thereto,.

driving means operatively connecting the actuating member to the axle so as to rotate the latter upon the depression of the seat, said yieldable means acting to return the seat to its raised position upon the downward pressure being released from said seat, and means mounted on the axle and slidably connected to the driving means for rendering the latter inoperative.

l0. A vehicle of the class described including a body, a steering wheel connected to the body, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body and having a seat mounted thereon, an actuating member fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the body, said lever and actuating member extending .lengthwise of the body, means interconnecting the forward end portions of the actuating member and said lever, yieldable means between the body and the forward end of the actuating member for normally maintaining the seat in its raised position, an axle connected to the body and having wheels fastened thereto, driving means operatively connecting the actuating member to the axle so as toy rotate the latter upon the depression of the seat, said yieldable means acting to return the seat to its raised position upon the downward pressure being released y from said seat, and means adjustably connecting the driving means to the actuating member. DON M. NEILSON. 

